About the Seal Beach Lions ClubThis general information guide is designed to help you understand what we do as an organization, who we are as a club, and what is expected of you as a new Lion. This guide is only a supplement to the other official publications, which defines who we are. You are encouraged to read the information in your new members packet as well as the materials in this guide.
is another great source of information about Lions Clubs.
Who are we? We are the Seal Beach Host Lions Club, a member of Lions District 4-L4, Lions Multiple District 4 and Lions Clubs International. Numbering around 100 members. We were called the "Host" club because we sponsored two other clubs in Lionism. Our club was founded in 1939.
(01/18/1939 - First Meeting: Glider Inn - Judge Kenneth Morrison, a 13 year Lion from Santa Ana, was the speaker.)
Seal Beach, California and the world.
Who are the Leos? Our club sponsors the Seal Beach Leo Club that has around 50 members ranging in age from 12-18. They have their own fund raisers and service projects and provides support to our projects as well. Several Lions act as advisors to this community service group for teenagers.
Meetings - We meet on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month, check our calendar to find out where. The first meeting of the month is a combination general and board meeting. All members are encouraged to stay for the board meeting and your input is welcomed. The second meeting (3rd Wed.) is program night. We conduct very little business and usually have an informative program. Dinner is available but you are not required to eat a meal. Attire for meetings is casual. Special events and functions requiring more space are held in different locations from time to time.
At the beginning of general meetings, we say the pledge of allegiance, sing a song, say a prayer for the City of Hope and a prayer for the meeting. You will probably be asked to do one of these from time to time. They are a lot easier than you think so volunteer if you can. Prepared prayers are available or you may say your own. The song is "leaders choice" and is usually God Bless America. It might feel a bit uncomfortable at first but give it a try, or just say no if you'd like.
Fines - At each meeting there is a "Tail Twister" who fines members for various things. Coming late, no badge, failure to shake the hand of the Mystery Lion are all $1 finable offenses. Other fines for talking too much, not talking enough, promoting your business, receiving cellular calls, bad jokes, bad haircuts, and more are delved out during the meetings to raise funds for our administrative account and to keep FUN in the meetings. Fines usually do not exceed $1-3. Fines are meant to be fun and are not serious stuff. Don't be offended if you are fined - it is part of the fun.
Guests - Guests are allowed at all Lions functions and meetings. Several times during the year we have meetings in which spouses and guests are encouraged to attend. Induction of new members, the Student Speaker Contest, Installation of Officers, Teachers Appreciation Night are a few of the special guest nights. Prospective members are welcome at all meetings and events. You are encouraged to bring prospective members and promote them for membership.
Other Costs - Your initiation fee of $40 includes a club pin, a club badge, your new member kit, and the fee to Lions International. Annual club dues are $100.00 and are due by June 1st each year. We suggest you purchase a club shirt for around $16. Other costs may include dinners, drinks, event tickets, opportunity drawing tickets, etc. - these are all optional.
Service Projects - Our club performs many service projects throughout the year. Service projects include Flag Day at McGaugh School, Opening and Closing days at Seal Beach Kids Baseball, river and beach clean-ups, Breakfast with Santa, Seal Beach Holiday Parade, a Red Cross blood drive and many more. These are rewarding projects that require little time. You are encouraged to sign up to work or help chair one of these projects. If you have an idea for a project, bring it up at a meeting.
Fund raisers - We have four main fund raising events each year in which the TOTAL club membership needs to be involved. They are the Casino Night in March, Pancake Breakfast in April, the Car Drawing from March-July, and the Fish Fry in July. These projects are labor intensive (especially Fish Fry) and require as much help as we can get. Annually, we raise $50,000-$60,000 which is then donated to various charities and organizations at our Charity Giving Night in March.
Visitations - We visit other Lions Clubs throughout the year to gather ideas and to promote our club projects. Our club is awarded points for these visits from the district and we need 6 members to make up a legal visitation. All members are encouraged to attend at least one during the year. We visit clubs from August through March. You can see from one of these visits how your club compares to other Lions clubs.
District Meetings - There are several District and Regional meetings a year at which District and International Lions programs are discussed. Members are encouraged to attend at least one a year. These are opportunities to get the "big picture" of Lionism.
Conventions - There are three Lions conventions each year. The MD-4 Convention is in February and encompasses Lions from all over California and Nevada. The International Convention in July is attended by more than 20,000 Lions from all over the world. The convention most attended by our members is the District Convention held in May. At this convention, club awards are given and the new District Governor is elected. Watch for details of this fun weekend.
Officers and Elections - The current club officers can be found on the front cover of the monthly Growl newsletter, or on our web site. Elections are held each April with the term of office running from July-June. All members in good standing are eligible for election to club office. The Lions who are active and involved are the ones who move to higher office within our club. Most of our Presidents have been with the club less than 4 years when elected to this office.
How can I have input into the Club? Your input and ideas are greatly encouraged. Your ideas regarding project management, future projects, donations, etc. will be heard and never ignored. The Board of Directors is charged with voting for all expenditures, donations and major project and fund raiser involvement. The Board makes it's decisions based on the input from other Lions and committees. From the day you are voted into this Lions Club, your voice counts and is listened to.
What is required of me as a Lion? Come to meetings when you can, help with as many service projects as possible, and plan to work our major fund raisers. You must always have a positive attitude, promote Lionism in the community, and most of all - have FUN!
Proud Lion Award - The best measurement of a good Lion is receiving the "Proud Lion" award. This award is given to new Lions who, in the first 6 months of membership, complete the following: 1) Attend a board meeting; 2) Bring a guest to a meeting; 3) Work on a club project or fund raiser; 4) Visit another club; and 5) Attend a District, Region or Zone meeting. If you complete these five items you will receive a Proud Lion Award and become a better all around Lion.
Measurement of a Good Lion - Recognition by our club, the District and Lions International is given to all Lions who bring in new members. The lifeblood of the organization is the people and we can always use more good Lions. Our club also gives special recognition to Lions who chair or co-chair projects and fund raisers. The more involved you are, the better the Lion you are and greater the recognition.
How can I get involved? There are a number of committees in our club, which handles Charitable Giving, Elections, Publicity, Communications, and much more. New Lions are encouraged to be active in the club workings through committee involvement. Cochairing a fund raiser or service project with a more senior Lion is also a great way to get involved.
Communications - Every month you will receive a copy of THE GROWL which is our club newsletter. This award-winning bulletin is an important communications tool of our club. Most of our events, fund raisers, and service projects are announced in The Growl. It also contains meeting minutes, financial reports, a message from our President, event pictures and more. All members are encouraged to submit articles, letters, pictures and announcements. We also have a new club web site: Sealbeachlions.com. The Growl is posted on the web site along with pictures of events and announcements of upcoming events.
The most important thing to remember is this: We are Lions because we want to help those less fortunate than we, and, in the Seal Beach Host Lions Club, there is a strong element of FUN in everything we do.The Seal Beach Host Lions Club Actively Supports:
- Blind Children's Learning Center
- CASA Youth Shelter
- Seal Beach Recreation Department
- Los Alamitos High School Grad Night
- Los Alamitos High School Every 15 minutes
- McGaugh School
- S.A.N.E. Program
- Los Alamitos Youth Center
- Lions Quest (Drug Awareness Program)
- Lions Student Speaker Foundation
- Ensenada, Mexico Lions Club
- Camp Wilderness for the Hearing Impaired
- Seal Beach Kids Baseball
- Seal Beach LEO Club
- City of Hope
- Canine Companions for Independance
- Southern California Learning Center
- Seal Beach Marina Center Restoration
- Save our Seals Beach & River Clean-Up
- LAHS Scholarship Program
- Seal Beach Animal Care Center
- Interval House
- LAHS Education Foundation
and many more local needs as they arrive.
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